Most sweaters don't wear out — they get washed out. Too much heat, too much tumbling, or hanging a wet knit on a hanger can change its shape in a single wash. The good news: a gentle routine takes almost no extra time. Here's the one we recommend.
Step 1: Read the care label first
The label always wins. It tells you the highest safe water temperature, whether the piece can go in a machine or a dryer, and whether it should be dry cleaned. Many of our knits say 30°C (86°F), which means cool water. Every Oatember product page has a care section. Where it says "per the care label," it's copied from the label; otherwise, it's our recommendation for that fabric.
Step 2: Wash less often
Knits don't need washing after every wear. Air a sweater out overnight and wear it a few more times unless it's stained or smells. Wearing a thin tee or camisole underneath keeps it fresher for longer.
Step 3: Wash cool and gentle
- Turn it inside out. This protects the outside surface from rubbing, which is what causes pilling.
- Use a mesh laundry bag if you machine wash, and choose the gentle, delicate, or wool cycle with a low spin.
- Use cool water and a mild detergent. Skip chlorine bleach.
- Wash dark and bright colors separately, especially the first few times.
- Hand washing: swish it gently in cool, soapy water for a few minutes, then rinse. Don't wring or twist — squeeze the water out instead.
Some fibers need extra care. Rayon (viscose) is weaker when wet, so handle it gently and don't wring it. Wool can felt and shrink with heat plus rubbing, so keep the water cool and the cycle gentle.
Step 4: Dry it flat
This is the step that matters most. A wet knit is heavy, and on a hanger it stretches out at the shoulders and grows longer.
- Roll the sweater in a dry towel and press to remove extra water.
- Lay it flat on a fresh towel or a drying rack.
- Pat it back into shape — straighten the hem, cuffs, and neckline.
- Let it dry away from direct heat and strong sun.
Only use a tumble dryer if the label allows it, and choose low heat.
Step 5: Deal with pilling
Pills — those little fuzz balls — form where fabric rubs, like under the arms or where a bag strap sits. They're normal for most soft knits, especially fuzzy and blended ones, and they don't mean the sweater is poor quality.
Remove them with a fabric shaver or a sweater comb. Lay the sweater flat and work gently in small areas. Don't pull pills off by hand, because that can pull the fibers out with them.
Step 6: Store folded, not hung
- Fold sweaters and stack them on a shelf or in a drawer. Hangers leave bumps in the shoulders and stretch knits over time.
- Put the heaviest sweaters at the bottom of the stack.
- At the end of the season, wash them first, then store them in a breathable cotton bag. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets help keep moths away from wool.
Quick checklist
- Check the label.
- Turn it inside out, use a laundry bag, and wash in cool water on a gentle cycle.
- No wringing, and no hanging while wet.
- Dry it flat and reshape it.
- Shave off pills and store it folded.
Looking for something new to take care of? See our knitwear.